Foundation fastener and decapping tool



Feb. 15, 193s. R. LUDKE 2,108,754

FOUNDATION FASTENER AND` DE-CAPPING TOQL Filed March 11. 1937 Patented Feb. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE Ray Ludke, Coplay, Pa.

Application March 11, 1937, Serial No. 130,386

2 Claims.

This invention relates; to improvements in tools for use in connection with honey boxes or frames.

The principal ob-ject of the invention is the provision of a tool adapted to perform the combined function of securing a wax foundation in a honey box, and also of decapping the honeycomb.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool that can be heated so that it Will melt a wax foundation and press it into engagement with a honey box.

A further object of the invention is to provide a blade that can be secured to the tool to deoap the honeycomb.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and drawing whereim- Figure 1 is a top. plan View of the tool with the head portion shown partly in section;

Figure 2 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation of a part of the tool;

Figure 3 is an elevational view similar to Figure 2 showing the blade attached and in the act of decapping, means for securing the blade being shown in section, and

Figure 4 is an `end View showing the blade attached.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts in the different views, I0 is the head portion of the tool, II is the handle which is connected to the head by the stem I2. The head I0 has a recess I3 intol which a plug I 4 fits. The plugr I4 has a recess I5 into which fits the end I6 of the stern I2.

The stern I2 is hollow as seen at I l to accommodate the electrical wires I8 which extend from a heating element I9, mounted in the open end E6 of stem I2, through stem I2 and handle II and through a conduit to a source of current not shown. A switch 2I of any common structure is mounted in handle II to make and break the contact between heating element I9 and the source of current.

The heating element I9 extends into the recess I5 in plug I4 and is adapted to heat the head portion I0.

The face portion 22 of head I0 is offset at 22', the offset portion Z2' being adapted to engage against one side 23 of a honey box or frame 24 as shown in Figure 2 and being adapted to press against a wax foundation 25 to simultaneously melt the foundation 25 and press it into engagement with side 23, the heat being supplied the portion 22 by the element I9. I'he offset portion 22 is approximately, in Width, half that of any side 23 of a honey box 24 so that the foundation 25 will be secured about midway o-f the box 24.

A blade 26 is adapted to be mounted against the side 21 of head I0 by means of threaded bolts 28 which engage threaded openings 29 in the side 2l to secure the blade 26 against side 21, and is provided with openings 30 to receive bolts 28.

The blade 26 is also provided with a cutting edge 3l which is heated by element I9 to facilitate the decapping of the honeycomb 32 as shown in' Figure 3. It is to be understood that blade 26 is not mounted upon head I0 when the tool is used to secure the foundation 25 in the frame 24.

'Ihe right is reserved toy make such changes and modifications as will not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A honeycomb tool, comprising a head portion, a handle an-d a stern adapted to be secured l to one end of said head, said head adapted to be heated by means mounted in the stem, the face of said head portion having a shoulder facing toward the free end of the head to facilitate the positioning of said tool against a frame, and said tool being adapted to secure a foundation to the frame.

2. A honeycomb tool comprising a head,v a handle secured thereto, and means to heat said head, said head being provided with an offset portion adapted to 'be placed against the frame to facilitate the proper positioning of foundation therein.

RAY LUDKE. 

